Sick Puppies , an Australian nu-metal/alternative band, is coming to the Cleveland House of Blues on Sunday, Oct. 13 . I'm doing an interview with co-founder and lead vocalist Shim Moore later today to preview that show, but that's not why "Die to Save You'' is today's LL.

Nope, Shim and bandmates Emma Anzai and Mark Goodwin are here today because of where they were on Nov. 3, 2009.

That would be the release date of "NCIS: The Official TV Soundtrack, Vol. 2.''

Yep, Sick Puppies shares space on an album that includes tunes from Bob Dylan, Sheryl Crow, John Mellencamp and even actor Michael Weatherly , who plays Tony DiNozzo. I guess his musical ability is another reason he's "Very Special Agent Tony DiNozzo.'' Weatherly's tune is called "Bitter and Blue.'' The Sick Puppies song is "That Time of Year.''

With the possible exception of "Duck Dynasty,'' "NCIS'' is my favorite show on the tube. Can't wait for next Tuesday's season premiere, even if it does mean the beginning of the end of Cote de Palo's run as Ziva David.

Which, in the spirit of "oh, look, shiny!'' free association, leads me to ask: Why is it that actors feel compelled to leave the series that's made them stars while those series are still hot? Did they learn NOTHING from Wayne Rogers on "M*A*S*H''?

Clearly, they're all, ahem , Sick Puppies.




And just for funsies, here's a bonus track: Very Special Agent Tony DiNozzo singing his own "Bitter and Blue'':